'I Screwed That Up': The Chargers Are 0-5. Here's What It Means for Your Fantasy Roster

Jim Harbaugh didn't hide from it.

"Right now, the only thing I can think of is that I screwed that up," he said after Sunday's 23-17 loss to Denver, per the AP. "Can't think of a time where I've ever been more mad at myself."

The call: up 17-10 with 10:33 left, fourth-and-1 at his own 41, Harbaugh kept the offense out there. Justin Herbert's sneak got stuffed. Five plays later Bo Nix hit Courtland Sutton for a 5-yard touchdown, and Denver scored the final 13 points. Harbaugh said when he saw the Broncos "gap down," he should've called timeout and punted.

The result: 0-5 for the first time since 2003, per the AP. Last week we wrote that the injury report was longer than a CVS receipt. This week, the problem is what that injury report is doing to the box score. Let's talk fantasy.

Justin Herbert: the floor is gone

The line: 14 of 24, 121 yards, one TD, one INT, five sacks for 39 yards, plus 54 rushing yards on six carries, per ESPN's box score. He also fumbled twice, losing one.

That's his sixth interception of the season, per ESPN, and he's now turned it over in five straight games, tying a career worst, per the AP. And he's doing it behind an offensive line that started four rookies Sunday, per ESPN.

Fantasy verdict: the rushing keeps him startable in superflex. In 1QB leagues he's a matchup streamer until the line gets healthier. Rashawn Slater (ankle) was expected back around Week 8 when we last checked, so help is weeks away, not days.

The backfield: Vidal just made it a conversation

Here's the eyebrow-raiser. Kimani Vidal got just eight carries but turned them into 57 yards and a touchdown, including a 42-yarder. Omarion Hampton had 14 carries for 33 yards (2.4 per carry). Keaton Mitchell added six carries and three catches.

Fantasy verdict: Hampton still has the volume, so he's a low-end RB2/flex, but the efficiency is ugly behind this line. Vidal is a priority bench add in 12-team leagues. One more week like that and this is a split.

The receivers: nobody to trust

Read this twice: no Chargers pass catcher had more than 37 receiving yards. Tight end Charlie Kolar led the team with 3 catches for 37 yards, per ESPN, and also lost a fumble. Marquez Valdes-Scantling had 2 for 22. Tre' Harris had 2 for 16 on four targets.

Ladd McConkey (foot) didn't record a stat, after reports said he wasn't slated to play. Quentin Johnston (chest) was ruled out on Friday's report.

Fantasy verdict: McConkey is a hold. When he's back, he's the target hog in an offense that's going to be throwing from behind. Everybody else in this receiver room is droppable in standard leagues until McConkey or Johnston returns.

The defense and kicker

The Chargers D held Denver to 123 passing yards and 3.7 yards per carry, per the box score. It's been the one thing working. But when your offense keeps handing over short fields, it's hard to stream them. Cameron Dicker went 1 for 1 with two extra points. Not enough looks.

Our take (opinion): Harbaugh deserves credit for owning it. But there's a reason his decision blew up: the Chargers can't get one yard when they need it, because the line is held together with tape. Until Slater, Alt and McConkey are back, treat every Chargers player not named Herbert or Hampton as a bench piece. And if the losing keeps up, watch for whether this team becomes a seller ahead of the deadline.

Who's to blame for 0-5? Tell us on Instagram @illegalmotionsports.

Stats per ESPN's box score and AP game story, as of 11:00 AM PT, Monday, Oct. 12, 2026.